Regulations could cost Dana Point more than 30 fire pits

Dana Point residents may have to say goodbye to many local beach fire pits after a vote Friday by the South Coast Air Quality Management District board decided that such rings within 700 feet of homes should be moved or removed.

The decision could mean Dana Point will lose more than 30 rings between Doheny State Beach and Capistrano Beach, officials said.

Doheny could lose all 33 of its rings on the beach since all are within 700 feet of homes, said Rich Haydon, state parks superintendent.

However, officials are waiting for clarification on whether any of the 33 rings qualify under a provision to allow rings that are wheelchair-accessible to remain. Haydon said state parks and the California Coastal Commission will be thoroughly vetting the entire decision.

Fifteen fire pits in a picnic area on the north end of the Doheny park property will be spared, Haydon said.

The fire-pit restriction does not go into effect until March, and Haydon said the rings will be available to visitors this summer. State parks officials have no intention of removing the rings until they have to, he said.

"Until then, it's business as usual," Haydon said. "The fire rings are a valuable resource available for use. It's a shame that this has come to pass."

Capistrano Beach has five fire pits, and it is unclear how many would be affected, said Marisa O'Neil, spokeswoman for Orange County Parks. Capistrano Beach is maintained by OC Parks, but O'Neil said the department is not taking any action at this time and that the decision on how to proceed will be up to the Board of Supervisors.